Name new school after Iowa-born scientist

I recommend the Iowa City Community School District name a school after Clair Cameron Patterson (1922-1995), the famous Iowa-born scientist who, first, accurately estimated the age of the earth, and, second, warned of the dangers of lead poisoning.

Regarding warning of the dangers of lead, Patterson had to put up with receiving many attacks, wrongful and sometimes personally aimed, by the big industrial interests that were using lead, including gasoline refiners.

Patterson was both a great scientist and a heroic man to withstand the attacks he received defending his scientific views on the toxic effects of even small amounts of lead in air and water. As time went on, his views were entirely vindicated, and laws were rewritten to prohibit lead in gasoline, paint and other industrial uses.

Patterson was a great Iowan, and naming a school after him will be a good example for our students and our children.